Monday, 6th October 2008

Patients not turning up for surgery

There were 581 postponed or cancelled elective operations at Mater Dei Hospital between December 2007 and last March, Social Policy Minister John Dalli told Parliament. Answering a question by Michael Farrugia (MLP), Mr Dalli said that in almost 95 per cent of these cases the patients did not turn up.

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Comments

John Muscat (on 6/10/08)

Why do people insist on passing comments on situations they have no inkling on? The situation is very clear - patients play the system and go to two or even three different surgeons for the same operation. Then obviously once they do it they do not bother to inform the surgeon!
The rot lies in the fact that the hospital does not (incredibly) have a computerised system and surgeons book them manually (yes in 2008!!)

J Demicoli (on 6/10/08)

I wonder, shall we take the minister's comment to be reprimanding the poor common folk or is he thinking loud and admitting his pitfalls.

Of course, they would have either died or forked out the money and gone to a private hospital or clinic; that is if they have the luxury to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul Barrett (on 6/10/08)

I am not sure how this works but if the administration made contact with patients two weeks before the due date and request feedback confirmation of attendance, then apart from unforeseen circumstances (i.e., some other illness or death), this number might be reduced. It would help the hospital if patients (or patients relatives in the case of death) due to attend but cannot, would at least try and remember to let the hospital know - as much in advance as possible.

There will always be some element of none attendance - perhaps a system of "standby" for those willing to attend at short notice where last minute cancellations have been made would at least reduce any waste of time, money and effort by the hard pressed medical staff.

I wonder what percentage the 581 represents compared with the total operations over the same period.

Michael Ellul (on 6/10/08)

How many of them died whilst waiting for their surgical appointment?

J. Borg (on 6/10/08)

Simply introduce a nominal deposit (say 100 euros) - which will be refunded
a) after patient leaves the hospital (unless he/she damages any public property)
b) if appointment in cancelled before one month from due date
c) on presentation of death certificate
The unemployed, elderly, and those on social assistance will pay a lesser deposit - whilst delays in excess of 3 months will attract interest - guess with all the questions raised about the financial institutions the world over, Mater Dei may be 'a safe place' to invest!

l Galea (on 6/10/08)

@Hamish Dempster
That's if you can afford it
Most probably a lot of those waiting had already went to see the Lord.

Joe Cordina (on 6/10/08)

Could we be informed as to how many patients had actually died before the appointed date for the operation came up??

Hamish Dempster (on 6/10/08)

No wonder 581 prospective patients didn't turn up for the medication, especially when one has to wait for a number of years before being even looked at. On occasions one dies before he is examined, so uses the only other forced alternative: PAY AND GO PRIVATE.

DO YOU BLAME US?